Yaw noted that the state is paying more for certain liquor products than some neighboring states, like New York.

“I don’t understand what’s wrong with the Walmart approach,” Yaw told the board. “It’s like, if you want to sell your product in our stores, here’s the price we’re going to pay … I’m not sure we’re using the market clout that we have.”

Board member Michael Newsome said negotiations with sellers are still ongoing.

About 60 out of 80 readily lowered their prices. But the rest, including some of the state’s largest distributors, have been tougher to convince.

Newsome said the board doesn’t think hardball tactics are called for yet.

“That would be one approach, to go in and just strong-arm. We could do that. We have the ability to do it, we have perhaps the will to do it,” he said. However, he added, “we chose not to take that approach in the beginning. The approach we chose to take was to work collaboratively with our suppliers.”

Newsome said he thinks a less aggressive approach will preserve important relationships and work better in the long run.

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